FROM the ARIA stage to the Barn Palais, South East star Scott Maxwell will join seven other contestants when they battle it out on the dance floor in the annual Swinging with the Stars competition.
A teacher at Grant High School, Mr Maxwell has been heavily involved in the school’s music program and through his dedication, was named the 2018 ARIA Music Teacher of the Year.
Although Swinging with the Stars carries a “smaller” accolade, Mr Maxwell is still just as determined to take out the title later this year.
“I do not take anything by halves so I am going to be giving it 100pc,” he said.
The event, hosted by the Stand Like Stone Foundation, will raise funds for the community-based charity organisation which has collected over than $600,000 through the dance initiative since its inception.
Mr Maxwell said the foundation had been an important part of the community for many years and had made several school-based programs possible through its funding.
Stand Like Stone funding allowed Grant High School to purchase 60 ukuleles for its music department.
Students then went to McDonald Park and Melaleuca Park primary schools to teach young children students how to play the ukulele.
“It was a really good transitioning exercise for the kids at the primary schools to have a sort of engagement with the high school students and it is also a good transitioning exercise into music,” he said.
After receiving support from the foundation, Mr Maxwell decided it was time to do his part, all while having fun.
“I’m really stoked to come on board with an organisation that supports youth in schools and do whatever it takes to get our young people to where they need to go,” he said.
“I’ll be putting in a lot of practice over the coming months, I might even enlist my students to give me a hand.
“Although I do work on the musicals, I do not have anything to do with the choreography so I have no idea how to dance.
“I once organised an award-winning dance routine, but to be honest I stole all the moves from movies.”
In addition to Mr Maxwell, Limestone Coast locals Elle Hood, Liz Rymill, Kate Perry, Rob Francis, Andrew Orton, Bryce Smith and Emma Laucirica will strap on their dancing shoes for the worthy cause.
Tickets for the June 22 event will be on sale in May from Chapman’s Newsagency.
Visit www.standlikestone.com.au for more information.
